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Delta Force
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What's the smallest nuclear reactor possible in terms of size and/or weight? What kind of power output could it achieve?
anorlunda said:It sounds like you might be working on a SciFi story. Is that right?
Dennis Jasbey said:No special problem with launch failure--
There will be no radioactivity until the reactor is activated.
That won't happen until the reactor is in orbit or on the moon or on Mars, or on some other deep-space mission.
A somewhat trivial answer is that by definition the power output is zero. So long as you have a nonzero power output, you can make a smaller reactor with smaller power output.Delta Force said:What's the smallest nuclear reactor possible in terms of size and/or weight? What kind of power output could it achieve?
anorlunda said:Their initial power was 62 watts.
Spinnor said:Are you sure of that number?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyager_1 said:Voyager 1 has three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) mounted on a boom. Each MHW-RTG contains 24 pressed plutonium-238 oxide spheres.[19] The RTGs generated about 470 W of electric power at the time of launch, with the remainder being dissipated as waste heat.[20] The power output of the RTGs declines over time (due to the 87.7-year half-life of the fuel and degradation of the thermocouples), but the craft's RTGs will continue to support some of its operations until 2025.[
A smallest possible nuclear reactor is a type of nuclear reactor that is designed to be compact in size, typically around the size of a shipping container. It is also known as a microreactor or a small modular reactor (SMR).
A smallest possible nuclear reactor works by using nuclear fission to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. The reactor contains fuel rods, usually made of uranium, which undergo a controlled chain reaction and release energy in the form of heat. This heat is then used to heat up water and produce steam, which turns the turbines and generates electricity.
There are several advantages of a smallest possible nuclear reactor. These include their compact size, which makes them easier to transport and install, their ability to be built in remote locations, their potential for lower costs and shorter construction times compared to traditional nuclear reactors, and their potential for greater safety due to their use of passive cooling systems.
Like any nuclear reactor, a smallest possible nuclear reactor carries potential risks, such as the release of radiation in the event of a malfunction or accident. However, these risks can be minimized through proper design, strict regulations, and thorough safety protocols.
A smallest possible nuclear reactor has the potential to be used for a variety of applications, including powering small communities or remote areas, providing electricity for military bases or disaster relief efforts, and supporting other industries such as mining and desalination. They can also be used as a backup power source for critical infrastructure and facilities.